Two men sent to hospital following Pinellas boat crash

INDIAN ROCKS BEACH, Fla. - Two men were taken to the hospital after their boat crashed into a dock and seawall near 20th Avenue North, according to  Pinellas County Marine Unit deputies.

Richard Bosman of Largo, was driving his 2011 Pursuit with his friend, Samuel Roback of Largo, both 66 years- old, when Bosman reached to grab a sip of coffee.

As Bosman was distracted by getting the drink he ran his boat into the dock of 526 20th Avenue North, according to deputies. Bosman told authorities he was only traveling at 25 miles per hour when he hit the dock. The collision catapulted Bosman into the water causing him to push the throttle fully open as he was ejected.


Roback was knocked back into the boat as the vessel started to circle out of control. Roback continued to try to hit the kill switch of the boat, but the boat struck another dock, 536 20th Avenue North, before coming to a stop.

When paramedics arrived on the scene they found Bosman standing in waist-high water suffering from a shoulder and knee injury. He was helped to shore and taken to Morton Plant Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Roback was helped from the boat possibly suffering from lower leg and torso injuries. He was also transported to Morton Plant Hospital with minor injuries.

Deputies say that no citations have been given and that alcohol does not appear to be a factor in the collision.